Unregenerate Man

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Romans 1:18-23

In verses 14-15 of this chapter, Paul made the statement that he is obligated and eager to preach the gospel to Greeks, barbarians, wise and foolish. Two reasons for this: # 1, v 16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” because it is the only means of salvation for anyone. Reason # 2, our passage: the unbelieving Gentiles are condemned because of their willful ignorance of God’s truth.

What makes people prefer human viewpoint and false religion over the revealed truth of scripture? v 18; they have suppressed the truth through their own unrighteousness. Not that they’ve never heard. God has always made Himself evident to all mankind. Divine institution # 1 is volition. Free will. Adam and the woman were given everything they would ever need, and then given something different that they did not need, and the opportunity to choose that against the direct will of God. Adam was also clearly told what the consequence of the wrong choice would be: certain death. Without free will, it would not have been a choice. Without the choice, it would not have been free will.

Every human being is born with a soul and a free will. Every human being will at some time in life become aware of the existence of God. It is in our nature to know of, or at least question, the reality of God. That’s called God-consciousness. At that point in life, the person will either be positive (want to know more), or be negative (reject the idea and tune out further information). Don’t be hoodwinked by the “they’ve never heard” argument. If they ever wanted to know God, they’ve heard, and they will receive more from Him. If their minds are closed to Him, they don’t want to hear.

Here’s why: v 21, they knew about God. They despised His authority and were ungrateful for His provision. They became vain (empty, foolish, idolatrous) by continuing to speculate about what had been clearly revealed. Their foolish (asunetos: unintelligent; without understanding) heart (kardia: thinking part of the soul) was darkened (skotizo: obscured). Thought processes designed to receive truth blacked out. First they didn’t want to understand, now they can’t. They’ve disabled their equipment by rejection of truth. Paul and we, however, are still obligated to tell them.

Now, they circulate in mutual admiration societies, celebrating the science of the mind, believing falsehoods and ridiculous theories, shouting about the “rights” of perverted rebels, pouring over scientific and/or occult writings which advertise greater knowledge than God has recorded in His Word. The scientific “facts” they want us all to accept change frequently (do you suppose these geniuses don’t notice?).

V 22, As these willfully ignorant unbelievers boast about their human wisdom, they have become fools.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good. Psalm 53:1

V 23, they’ve exchanged God’s incorruptible glory (immutable, unchanging essence- see The Barrier, February 28) for images of men, birds, beasts, reptiles and insects. How wise is that?

God’s plan: grace, love, perfect provision, eternal life, security IN CHRIST.

Satan’s plan: idolatrous religion, paganism, human good, relative righteousness, worldly morality, environmentalism. It’s called “good without God.”

It can appeal only to fools with darkened hearts, because there is no good without God.